The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Kupwara, Imam Din today along with concerned officers visited Fruit and Vegetable Mandi, Bumhama to take stock of its functioning.On the occasion, the DDC convened a meeting with traders dealing with dry and fresh fruits. It was informed that as many as 169 shop sites including 105 dry fruit and 64 fresh fruit shops have already been allotted to fruit traders to carry out their business.The DDC asked these shopkeepers to start their businesses forthwith without wastage of any more time. He said the government has given directive for proper establishment of fruit and vegetable mandi to boost the marketing of fruit and vegetables in the district.The DDC said that concerted efforts are underway to upgrade the walnut market in Kupwara so that the economy of the district gets a boost. He said that the district has a vast potential of walnut production and a large number of people are directly involved in the sector for their livelihood.He also said that the horticulture sector has a vast potential for income generation and the educated youth of the district should come forward and take advantage of different schemes meant for development and boosting of this sector. Deputy Director Horticulture P&M, Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Area Marketing Officer, Mushtaq Ahmad, Tehsildar, Javid Ahmad Zargar besides, President Fruit & Vegetable Dealers Association and other concerned were present on the occasion.